CSTO Drills in Belarus to Include Nuclear Weapon Planning

On August 31, the Collective Security Treaty Organization's "Interaction-2025," "Search-2025," and "Echelon-2025" military exercises began in Belarus.

More than 2,000 military personnel from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan are participating in them.

By the personal order of the leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, the exercises were moved from the western and southern borders to the interior of the country.

"We did this consciously, so that there would be no various kinds of hints, and we would not be accused of possible provocations," said the Chief of the General Staff of Belarus, Pavel Muraveyko.

The exercises will include planning for the use of nuclear weapons, without their actual use, Muraveyko reported.